What signs did Jesus mention in Matthew 24:3 about His coming and the end? Setting the Scene “While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’ ” (Matthew 24:3) What the Disciples Wanted to Know • Timing: “When will these things happen?” • Identification: “What will be the sign of Your coming?” • Culmination: “(What will be the sign) of the end of the age?” How Jesus Answered—Key Signs He Immediately Listed (vv. 4-14) 1. Deception • “See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (vv. 4-5) • Cross-reference: 1 John 2:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 2. Wars and Rumors of Wars • “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (v. 6) • Cross-reference: Revelation 6:3-4 3. International Upheaval • “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (v. 7a) 4. Natural Calamities • “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (v. 7b) • Cf. Luke 21:11 adds “pestilences” and “great signs from heaven.” 5. Persecution of Believers • “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” (v. 9) • Cross-reference: John 15:18-20; Revelation 6:9-11 6. Spiritual Apostasy and Betrayal • “Many will fall away, betray, and hate one another.” (v. 10) 7. Rise of False Prophets • “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” (v. 11) 8. Widespread Lawlessness and Cold Hearts • “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (v. 12) 9. Endurance of the Faithful • “The one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (v. 13) 10. Worldwide Proclamation of the Gospel • “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (v. 14) • Cross-reference: Revelation 14:6-7 Additional Signs Jesus Later Highlights (vv. 15-31) • “The abomination of desolation” standing in the holy place (v. 15; cf. Daniel 9:27). • Unprecedented “great tribulation” (v. 21). • Cosmic disturbances: sun darkened, moon not giving light, stars falling (v. 29). • The visible sign of the Son of Man in heaven and His return “on the clouds” with power and great glory (vv. 30-31). Bottom Line Matthew 24:3 records the disciples’ threefold question; Jesus’ answer spans the chapter and supplies a literal checklist of worldwide deception, conflict, calamity, persecution, apostasy, global evangelization, and climactic cosmic events—each serving as a signpost that His coming and the end of the age are drawing near. |
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